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Jacquier EF, Kassis A, Marcu D, Contractor N, Hong J, Hu C, Kuehn M, Lenderink C, Rajgopal A. Phytonutrients in the promotion of healthspan: a new perspective. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1409339. [PMID: 39070259 PMCID: PMC11272662 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1409339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Considering a growing, aging population, the need for interventions to improve the healthspan in aging are tantamount. Diet and nutrition are important determinants of the aging trajectory. Plant-based diets that provide bioactive phytonutrients may contribute to offsetting hallmarks of aging and reducing the risk of chronic disease. Researchers now advocate moving toward a positive model of aging which focuses on the preservation of functional abilities, rather than an emphasis on the absence of disease. This narrative review discusses the modulatory effect of nutrition on aging, with an emphasis on promising phytonutrients, and their potential to influence cellular, organ and functional parameters in aging. The literature is discussed against the backdrop of a recent conceptual framework which describes vitality, intrinsic capacity and expressed capacities in aging. This aims to better elucidate the role of phytonutrients on vitality and intrinsic capacity in aging adults. Such a review contributes to this new scientific perspective-namely-how nutrition might help to preserve functional abilities in aging, rather than purely offsetting the risk of chronic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diana Marcu
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jina Hong
- Amway Innovation and Science, Ada, MI, United States
| | - Chun Hu
- Amway Innovation and Science, Ada, MI, United States
| | - Marissa Kuehn
- Amway Innovation and Science, Ada, MI, United States
| | | | - Arun Rajgopal
- Amway Innovation and Science, Ada, MI, United States
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Abdullah G, Akpan A, Phelan MM, Wright HL. New insights into healthy ageing, inflammageing and frailty using metabolomics. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2024; 5:1426436. [PMID: 39044748 PMCID: PMC11263002 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2024.1426436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Human ageing is a normal process and does not necessarily result in the development of frailty. A mix of genetic, environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors can have an impact on ageing, and whether an individual develops frailty. Frailty is defined as the loss of physiological reserve both at the physical and cellular levels, where systemic processes such as oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to physical decline. The newest "omics" technology and systems biology discipline, metabolomics, enables thorough characterisation of small-molecule metabolites in biological systems at a particular time and condition. In a biological system, metabolites-cellular intermediate products of metabolic reactions-reflect the system's final response to genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, epigenetic, or environmental alterations. As a relatively newer technique to characterise metabolites and biomarkers in ageing and illness, metabolomics has gained popularity and has a wide range of applications. We will give a comprehensive summary of what is currently known about metabolomics in studies of ageing, with a focus on biomarkers for frailty. Metabolites related to amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, and redox metabolism may function as biomarkers of ageing and/or frailty development, based on data obtained from human studies. However, there is a complexity that underpins biological ageing, due to both genetic and environmental factors that play a role in orchestrating the ageing process. Therefore, there is a critical need to identify pathways that contribute to functional decline in people with frailty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genna Abdullah
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Asangaedem Akpan
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Western Australia, Bunbury, WA, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtis University, Bunbury, WA, Australia
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Bunbury Regional Hospital, Bunbury, WA, Australia
| | - Marie M. Phelan
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- High Field NMR Facility, Liverpool Shared Research Facilities University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Helen L. Wright
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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3
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Halliwell B, Cheah I. Are age-related neurodegenerative diseases caused by a lack of the diet-derived compound ergothioneine? Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 217:60-67. [PMID: 38492784 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
We propose that the diet-derived compound ergothioneine (ET) is an important nutrient in the human body, especially for maintenance of normal brain function, and that low body ET levels predispose humans to significantly increased risks of neurodegenerative (cognitive impairment, dementia, Parkinson's disease) and possibly other age-related diseases (including frailty, cardiovascular disease, and eye disease). Hence, restoring ET levels in the body could assist in mitigating these risks, which are rapidly increasing due to ageing populations globally. Prevention of neurodegeneration is especially important, since by the time dementia is usually diagnosed damage to the brain is extensive and likely irreversible. ET and vitamin E from the diet may act in parallel or even synergistically to protect different parts of the brain; both may be "neuroprotective vitamins". The present article reviews the substantial scientific basis supporting these proposals about the role of ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Halliwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Centre for Life Sciences, #05-01A, 28 Medical Drive, 117456, Singapore.
| | - Irwin Cheah
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Centre for Life Sciences, #05-01A, 28 Medical Drive, 117456, Singapore.
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Moukham H, Lambiase A, Barone GD, Tripodi F, Coccetti P. Exploiting Natural Niches with Neuroprotective Properties: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients 2024; 16:1298. [PMID: 38732545 PMCID: PMC11085272 DOI: 10.3390/nu16091298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural products from mushrooms, plants, microalgae, and cyanobacteria have been intensively explored and studied for their preventive or therapeutic potential. Among age-related pathologies, neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) represent a worldwide health and social problem. Since several pathological mechanisms are associated with neurodegeneration, promising strategies against neurodegenerative diseases are aimed to target multiple processes. These approaches usually avoid premature cell death and the loss of function of damaged neurons. This review focuses attention on the preventive and therapeutic potential of several compounds derived from natural sources, which could be exploited for their neuroprotective effect. Curcumin, resveratrol, ergothioneine, and phycocyanin are presented as examples of successful approaches, with a special focus on possible strategies to improve their delivery to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hind Moukham
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; (H.M.); (A.L.); (P.C.)
| | - Alessia Lambiase
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; (H.M.); (A.L.); (P.C.)
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Farida Tripodi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; (H.M.); (A.L.); (P.C.)
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Paola Coccetti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; (H.M.); (A.L.); (P.C.)
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy
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5
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Apparoo Y, Wei Phan C, Rani Kuppusamy U, Chan EWC. Potential role of ergothioneine rich mushroom as anti-aging candidate through elimination of neuronal senescent cells. Brain Res 2024; 1824:148693. [PMID: 38036238 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress can upset the antioxidant balance and cause accelerated aging including neurodegenerative diseases and decline in physiological function. Therefore, an antioxidant-rich diet plays a crucial role in healthy aging. This study aimed to identify and quantify mushrooms with the highest ergothioneine content through HPLC analysis and evaluate their anti-aging potential as a natural antioxidant and antisenescence in HT22 cells. Among the 14 evaluated mushroom species, Lentinula edodes (LE), shiitake mushroom contains the highest ergothioneine content and hence was used for the in-vitro studies. The cells were preincubated with ethanolic extract of ergothioneine-rich mushroom and the equimolar concentration of EGT on t-BHP-induced senescence HT22 cells. The extract was analyzed for its free radical scavenging properties using DPPH and ABTS methods. Then, the neuroprotective effect was conducted by measuring the cell viability using MTT. Senescence-associated markers and ROS staining were also analyzed. Our results revealed that a low dose of t-BHP reduces cell viability and induces senescence in HT22 cells as determined through β-galactosidase staining and expressions of P16INK4a, P21CIPL which are the markers of cellular senescence. However, the pretreatment with ethanolic extract of LE for 8 h significantly improved the cell viability, reversed the t-BHP-induced cellular senescence in the neuronal cells, and reduced the reactive oxygen species visualized through DCFH-DA staining. These results suggest that ergothioneine-rich mushroom is a potential candidate for anti-aging exploration through the elimination of senescent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaaswini Apparoo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chia Wei Phan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Mushroom Research Centre, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Umah Rani Kuppusamy
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Eric Wei Chiang Chan
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Hondal RJ. Selenium vitaminology: The connection between selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and ergothioneine. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 75:102328. [PMID: 37236134 PMCID: PMC10524500 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Selenium is connected to three small molecule antioxidant compounds, ascorbate, α-tocopherol, and ergothioneine. Ascorbate and α-tocopherol are true vitamins, while ergothioneine is a "vitamin-like" compound. Here we review how selenium is connected to all three. Selenium and vitamin E work together as a team to prevent lipid peroxidation. Vitamin E quenches lipid hydroperoxyl radicals and the resulting lipid hydroperoxide is then converted to the lipid alcohol by selenocysteine-containing glutathione peroxidase. Ascorbate reduces the resulting α-tocopheroxyl radical in this reaction back to α-tocopherol with concomitant production of the ascorbyl radical. The ascorbyl radical can be reduced back to ascorbate by selenocysteine-containing thioredoxin reductase. Ergothioneine and ascorbate are both water soluble, small molecule reductants that can reduce free radicals and redox-active metals. Thioredoxin reductase can reduce oxidized forms of ergothioneine. While the biological significance of this is not yet realized, this discovery underscores the centrality of selenium to all three antioxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Hondal
- Department of Biochemistry, 89 Beaumont Ave, Given Laboratory, Room B413, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
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7
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Cognitive Healthy Aging in Mice: Boosting Memory by an Ergothioneine-Rich Hericium erinaceus Primordium Extract. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020196. [PMID: 36829475 PMCID: PMC9953177 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Brain aging is a crucial risk factor for several neurodegenerative disorders and dementia. The most affected cognitive function is memory, worsening early during aging. Inflammation and oxidative stress are known to have a role in pathogenesis of cognitive impairments, and a link exists between aging/frailty and immunosenescence/inflammaging. Based on anti-aging properties, medicinal mushrooms represent a source to develop medicines and functional foods. In particular, Hericium erinaceus (He) displays several actions ranging from boosting the immune system to fighting senescence, due to its active ingredients/metabolites. Among these, Ergothioneine (ERGO) is known as the longevity vitamin. Currently, we demonstrated the efficacy of an ERGO-rich He primordium extract (He2) in preventing cognitive decline in a murine model of aging. We focused on recognition memory deterioration during aging, monitored through spontaneous behavioral tests assessing both memory components and frailty index. A parallel significant decrease in key markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, i.e., IL6, TGFβ1, GFAP, Nrf2, SOD1, COX2, NOS2, was revealed in the hippocampus by immunohistochemistry, accompanied by an enhancement of NMDAR1and mGluR2, crucially involved in glutamatergic neurotransmission. In summary, we disclosed a selective, preventive and neuroprotective effect of He2 on aged hippocampus, both on recognition memory as well on inflammation/oxidative stress/glutamate receptors expression.
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Dietary Responses of Dementia-Related Genes Encoding Metabolic Enzymes. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15030644. [PMID: 36771351 PMCID: PMC9921944 DOI: 10.3390/nu15030644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The age-related loss of the cognitive function is a growing concern for global populations. Many factors that determine cognitive resilience or dementia also have metabolic functions. However, this duality is not universally appreciated when the action of that factor occurs in tissues external to the brain. Thus, we examined a set of genes involved in dementia, i.e., those related to vascular dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and the human metabolism for activity in 12 metabolically active tissues. Mining the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) data showed that most of these metabolism-dementia (MD) genes (62 of 93, 67%) exhibit a higher median expression in any of the metabolically active tissues than in the brain. After identifying that several MD genes served as blood-based biomarkers of longevity in other studies, we examined the impact of the intake of food, nutrients, and other dietary factors on the expression of MD genes in whole blood in the Framingham Offspring Study (n = 2134). We observed positive correlations between flavonoids and HMOX1, taurine and UQCRC1, broccoli and SLC10A2, and myricetin and SLC9A8 (p < 2.09 × 10-4). In contrast, dairy protein, palmitic acid, and pie were negatively correlated, respectively, with the expression of IGF1R, CSF1R, and SLC9A8, among others (p < 2.92 × 10-4). The results of this investigation underscore the potential contributions of metabolic enzyme activity in non-brain tissues to the risk of dementia. Specific epidemiological or intervention studies could be designed using specific foods and nutrients or even dietary patterns focused on these foods and nutrients that influence the expression of some MD genes to verify the findings presented here.
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9
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Halliwell B. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxygen radicals and antioxidants: Where are we now, where is the field going and where should we go? Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 633:17-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.08.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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10
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Anti-Aging and Neuroprotective Properties of Grifola frondosa and Hericium erinaceus Extracts. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14204368. [PMID: 36297052 PMCID: PMC9611596 DOI: 10.3390/nu14204368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrition has relevant consequences for human health and increasing pieces of evidence indicate that medicinal mushrooms have several beneficial effects. One of the main issues in Western countries is represented by the challenges of aging and age-related diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders. Among these, Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects 10 million people worldwide and is associated with α-synuclein misfolding, also found in other pathologies collectively called synucleinopathies. Here, we show that aqueous extracts of two edible mushrooms, Grifola frondosa and Hericium erinaceus, represent a valuable source of β-glucans and exert anti-aging effects in yeast. Their beneficial effects are mediated through the inhibition of the Ras/PKA pathway, with increased expression of heat shock proteins, along with a consistent increase of both mean and maximal lifespans. These fungal extracts also reduce the toxicity of α-synuclein heterologously expressed in yeast cells, resulting in reduced ROS levels, lower α-synuclein membrane localization, and protein aggregation. The neuroprotective activity of G. frondosa extract was also confirmed in a PD model of Drosophila melanogaster. Taken together, our data suggest the use of G. frondosa and H. erinaceus as functional food to prevent aging and age-related disorders, further supporting the neuro-healthy properties of these medicinal mushroom extracts.
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Beliaeva M, Seebeck FP. Discovery and Characterization of the Metallopterin-Dependent Ergothioneine Synthase from Caldithrix abyssi. JACS AU 2022; 2:2098-2107. [PMID: 36186560 PMCID: PMC9516567 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.2c00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Ergothioneine is a histidine derivative with a 2-mercaptoimidazole side chain and a trimethylated α-amino group. Although the physiological function of this natural product is not yet understood, the facts that many bacteria, some archaea, and most fungi produce ergothioneine and that plants and animals have specific mechanisms to absorb and distribute ergothioneine in specific tissues suggest a fundamental role in cellular life. The observation that ergothioneine biosynthesis has emerged multiple times in molecular evolution points to the same conclusion. Aerobic bacteria and fungi attach sulfur to the imidazole ring of trimethylhistidine via an O2-dependent reaction that is catalyzed by a mononuclear non-heme iron enzyme. Green sulfur bacteria and archaea use a rhodanese-like sulfur transferase to attach sulfur via oxidative polar substitution. In this report, we describe a third unrelated class of enzymes that catalyze sulfur transfer in ergothioneine production. The metallopterin-dependent ergothioneine synthase from Caldithrix abyssi contains an N-terminal module that is related to the tungsten-dependent acetylene hydratase and a C-terminal domain that is a functional cysteine desulfurase. The two modules cooperate to transfer sulfur from cysteine onto trimethylhistidine. Inactivation of the C-terminal desulfurase blocks ergothioneine production but maintains the ability of the metallopterin to exchange sulfur between ergothioneine and trimethylhistidine. Homologous bifunctional enzymes are encoded exclusively in anaerobic bacterial and archaeal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariia
A. Beliaeva
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Molecular
Systems Engineering, National Competence
Center in Research (NCCR), 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian P. Seebeck
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Molecular
Systems Engineering, National Competence
Center in Research (NCCR), 4058 Basel, Switzerland
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12
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Low Plasma Ergothioneine Predicts Cognitive and Functional Decline in an Elderly Cohort Attending Memory Clinics. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11091717. [PMID: 36139790 PMCID: PMC9495818 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11091717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Low blood concentrations of the diet-derived compound ergothioneine (ET) have been associated with cognitive impairment and cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) in cross-sectional studies, but it is unclear whether ET levels can predict subsequent cognitive and functional decline. Here, we examined the temporal relationships between plasma ET status and cognition in a cohort of 470 elderly subjects attending memory clinics in Singapore. All participants underwent baseline plasma ET measurements as well as neuroimaging for CeVD and brain atrophy. Neuropsychological tests of cognition and function were assessed at baseline and follow-up visits for up to five years. Lower plasma ET levels were associated with poorer baseline cognitive performance and faster rates of decline in function as well as in multiple cognitive domains including memory, executive function, attention, visuomotor speed, and language. In subgroup analyses, the longitudinal associations were found only in non-demented individuals. Mediation analyses showed that the effects of ET on cognition seemed to be largely explainable by severity of concomitant CeVD, specifically white matter hyperintensities, and brain atrophy. Our findings support further assessment of plasma ET as a prognostic biomarker for accelerated cognitive and functional decline in pre-dementia and suggest possible therapeutic and preventative measures.
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Nakamichi N, Tsuzuku S, Shibagaki F. Ergothioneine and central nervous system diseases. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:2513-2521. [PMID: 35788879 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03665-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Ergothioneine (ERGO) is a thiol contained in the food that exhibits an excellent antioxidant effect similar to that of glutathione. Although mammals lack a biosynthetic pathway for ERGO, the carnitine/organic cation transporter OCTN1/SLC22A4, which transports ERGO in vivo, is expressed throughout the body, and ERGO is distributed to various organs after oral intake. ERGO is a stable compound that remains in the body for a long time after ingestion. OCTN1 is also expressed in brain parenchymal cells, including neurons, and ERGO in the blood permeates the blood-brain barrier and is distributed to the brain, exhibiting a neuroprotective effect. Recently, the association between central nervous system (CNS) diseases and ERGO has become a research focus. ERGO concentrations in the blood components are lower in patients with cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, and frailty than in healthy subjects. ERGO exerts a protective effect against various neurotoxins and improves the symptoms of cognitive impairment, depression, and epilepsy in animal models. The promotion of neurogenesis and induction of neurotrophic factors, in addition to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, may be involved in the neuroprotective effect of ERGO. This review shows the association between ERGO and CNS diseases, discusses the possible biomarkers of peripheral ERGO in CNS diseases, and the possible preventive and improvement effects of ERGO on CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noritaka Nakamichi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, 60 Nakaorui-machi, 370-0033, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan.
| | - Sota Tsuzuku
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, 60 Nakaorui-machi, 370-0033, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
| | - Fumiya Shibagaki
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare, 60 Nakaorui-machi, 370-0033, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Halliwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Irwin Cheah
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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15
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Cheah IK, Lee JZ, Tang RMY, Koh PW, Halliwell B. Does Lactobacillus reuteri influence ergothioneine levels in the human body? FEBS Lett 2022; 596:1241-1251. [PMID: 35486429 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The dietary thione-thiol, ergothioneine (ET), accumulates in human and animal tissues and may play important roles in disease prevention. ET biosynthesis has only been described in fungi and certain bacteria, and humans and animals are widely assumed to accumulate ET solely from diet. However, a recent study suggested that Lactobacillus/Limosilactobacillus reuteri, a commensal gut bacterium, may produce ET, thereby protecting the host against social defeat stress and sleep disturbances. Upon our further investigation, no evidence of ET biosynthesis was observed in L. reuteri when a heavy-labelled histidine precursor was administered. Instead, we discovered that L. reuteri avidly accumulates ET. This observation may indicate a possible mechanism by which the gut microbiota could influence tissue levels of ET in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irwin K Cheah
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596.,Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, Life Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456
| | - Jovan Z Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596
| | - Richard M Y Tang
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596.,Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, Life Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456
| | - Pei Wen Koh
- Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, Life Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456
| | - Barry Halliwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596.,Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, Life Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456
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